Aviation air-to-air missiles: main characteristics

To combat air targets, missile systems of various types are intended. A huge variety of weapons in the first place are classified according to the place of launch and the location of the target. For example: "ground-to-air" - a ground-based missile (the first word) for destroying objects in airspace (second word). This type of ammunition is often referred to as the zenith, that is, shooting at the zenith - up. The significant speed of the surface-to-air missile, more than four times the speed of sound, effectively combat not only aircraft and ballistic missiles, but also hit highly maneuverable cruise missiles.

Aircraft Armament

The armament of a modern combat aircraft is an integrated high-tech complex of several systems, which conditionally consists of a control system and directly suspended and built-in weapons. The rockets intended for launching from aerial moving platforms and destroying airborne aircraft, in accordance with the domestic system, are classified as air-to-air missiles (BB). In the West, for ammunition of this class, the abbreviation AAM from the English combination air-to-air missile is adopted. Effective examples of this weapon first appeared in the mid-forties of the last century. The first domestic homing ammunition was copied from the American air-to-air missile. Russia is now recognized as an undisputed leader in this field of military hardware. Some systems have no analogues even among the developed foreign complexes.

Attack distance

According to the distance at which the object is destroyed in the air, air-to-air missiles are divided into several classes. Aircraft ammunition is created for use on three types of combat distances:

• For the destruction of aircraft within the line of sight, short-range missiles are used. These ammunition are equipped with infrared homing devices. The adopted designation of NATO countries is SRAAM.
• At ranges up to 100 km, medium-range missiles (MRAAM) with a radar homing system are used.
• Ammunition, used at distances up to 200 km, long range (LRAAM), have a complex guidance system using different principles on the march and at the end of the attack.

Classifying this way on the principle of long-range, the developers believe that at given distances the missile can be guaranteed to hit the target. In the language of experts, this is called the effective distance of fire.

Target guidance systems

At the head of the missile is placed measuring equipment, which allows for autonomy, that is, without the operator's involvement, to aim the missile on the target and hit it. The automatic device against the background of the surrounding physical fields is able to determine the target, the parameters of its movement, the movement of the rocket itself, and form commands for the control system, if necessary to make a maneuver. Homing systems air-to-air missiles use various types of target radiation: optical, acoustic, infrared, and radio waves. At the location of the radiation source, the guidance systems are:

• Passive - use the signals emitted by the target.
• For semi-active heads, a signal reflected from the target, emitted by the carrier aircraft, is necessary.
• The active ones themselves illuminate the target, for which they are equipped with standard signal transmitters.

Defective elements and detonators

In air, especially at high altitudes, the explosive effect of the explosive is ineffective. Air-to-air air-to-air missiles are armed with a high-explosive warhead. Due to the high speed of moving both the target and the missile itself, strict requirements are applied to the warhead for the formation of the striking sphere. The desired result can be achieved by applying a system of specified crushing to fragments or ready-made striking elements (balls, rods). In most products, a variant is used that forms a radial field from the fragments of the cylindrical warhead, the fragment shirts. During the flight, the striking elements form a cone with a truncated apex with a direction of motion, a passing rocket.

The planned separation of the impact fragments is achieved by laser hardening or high-frequency currents, pinholes or "masks" made of inert material. The fragmentation fragments are equipped with fragmentation missiles. In medium-range missile systems, a warhead formed from rods is used. The damaging elements are arranged obliquely around the explosive and are alternately welded together between the upper and lower ends. When opened, the rods form a closed ring of great damaging force. Promising developments are underway to manage the formation and direction of the fragmentation field.

The warhead is blasted at the optimal distance by a radar fuse equipped with one or two antennas. Modern air-to-air missiles are equipped with laser systems that continuously monitor the distance to the target. On all rockets there is an inertial detonator in case of direct hit to the target.

Guarding air spaces

For our country, with its huge distances and underdeveloped ground infrastructure on the eastern and northern directions, air-to-air missiles are the key element in ensuring the defense capability. Russia, having made a technological breakthrough in recent years, possesses a whole range of highly effective ammunition. Domestic missiles are designed not only to equip existing aircraft, but also advanced manned and unmanned aerial systems, the adoption of which is expected in the near future. Modern Russian aircraft are equipped with some types of missiles. They will be discussed further on.

The guided missile R-73 of short range

The product was adopted in 1983, in the NATO classification AA-11 "Archer". It is designed to destroy actively maneuvering manned and unmanned targets at a maximum speed of up to 2,500 km / h in the daytime and at night in all weather conditions in the front and back hemispheres. For firing on pursuing targets, a reverse start mode is used. The engine with variable thrust vector and other know-how allowed to surpass all existing world analogues for maneuverability. Possible use against uncontrolled balloons, helicopters and cruise missiles. The missile is included in the standard set of weapons MiG-29 and Su-27 latest modifications, as well as tactical bombers Su-34 and Su-25 attack aircraft. It is produced in two versions of modifications of RMD-1 and RMD-2. Can be used to fight cruise missiles. The missile is exported. The ammunition has the following characteristics:

• Weight - 110 kg.
• The length is 2.9 m.
• The mass of the core warhead is 8 kg.
• The launch range is 40 km (RMD 2).

RVV-MD short-range maneuvering missile

The newest munition has all-out infrared guidance. The use of the aerogasdynamic maneuvering system allows you to destroy targets from any direction. It is assumed that this model will arm all types of fighter aircraft and helicopters. RVV-MD and the air-to-surface missile X-38 will form the basis of the combat power of a fifth generation fighter.

• The starting weight is not more than 106 kg.
• The length of the rocket is 2.92 m.
• The mass of the warhead with the rod impacting element is 8 kg.
• The distance of target destruction is up to 40 km.

Aviation air-to-air missiles R-27

Managed ammunition was created for arming fighters of the fourth generation. According to the NATO classification AA-10 "Alamo". A specific munition is designed to destroy enemy aircraft in near maneuver combat and at medium ranges with a maximum target speed of up to 3,500 km / h. A new control concept and a solid propellant engine have been applied. Some modifications use accelerators. The speed of the R-27 air-to-air missile is four and a half times higher than the speed of sound. Characteristics depending on the modification are as follows:

• The mass of different samples ranges from 250 to 350 kg.
• The maximum length is from 3.7 to 4.9 m.
• The mass of the warhead of the rod type is 39 kg.
• The range of damage to objects from 50 to 110 km.

The R-77 medium-range aviation missile

Designed for a fifth-generation MiG fighter - 1.42, and did not go into the series. Western name AA-12 "Adder". Adopted in 1994. Equipped with a powerful engine and the most advanced radar and infrared guidance systems. It is intended for the destruction of moving and static air objects of all types, including cruise missiles flying with the bending of the terrain, against the background of the earth and the sea surface in all ranges of heights. The modification range with solid propellant accelerators reaches 160 km.

• Weight - 700 kg.
• The length of the product is 3.5 m.
• The mass of the core warhead with multicumulative elements is 22 kg.
• The maximum range of destruction of objects is 100 km.

On the basis of this ammunition, a modification of "earth-air" was created. A land-based missile is distinguished by a large engine diameter.

Self-guided missile RVV-SD medium range

The newest model of armament of domestic aircraft is designed to destroy targets of all types, including cruise missiles at altitudes up to 25 km in conditions of intense radar counteraction of the enemy. An active guidance system using inertial radio correction was used. The detonation device uses a laser non-contact sensor.

• Starting weight up to 190 kg.
• The length is 3.7 m.
• The type of the combat unit is a multi-cumulative core, the mass is 22.5 kg.
• Starting distance up to 110 km.

RVV-AE medium-range missile

This version of the missile is designed to equip fighter aircraft of the fourth generation, and is designed to combat all existing types of aircraft, including cruise missiles. The ammunition can be used at any time of the day above the land and sea area in the coastal zone. Developers are provided with an installation for foreign types of aircraft. A non-contact laser fuse has been used as a detonator. For maneuvering, grate wheels with electric drive are used - the technical device has no analogues in the world.

• The maximum starting weight is 180 kg.
• The greatest length is 3.6 m.
• The warhead is rod-shaped multi-cumulative, the mass is 22.5 kg.
• Distance of shooting up to 80 km.

The guided long-range R-33 missile

It is intended for arming interceptors of territorial air defense with underdeveloped ground infrastructure. In the NATO reference books is designated as AA-9 "Amos". In conjunction with the MiG-31-33 was adopted in service in the early 80's and was one of the elements of the multi-channel interception system "Zaslon." The complex makes it possible to simultaneously use the entire combat kit of a link of 4 aircraft. At the same time, the radar equipment of the aircraft and the semi-active GOS missiles provide the opportunity to simultaneously hit four objects with four missiles. P-33 is designed to destroy aircraft and low-flying cruise missiles in all weather conditions, against the background of the earth in all ranges of altitudes and speeds and has the following technical data:

• Weight - 490 kg.
• The length is 4.15 m.
• The mass of high-explosive warhead is 47 kg.
• The launch range is 120 km, with additional highlighting of the target - up to 300 km.

"The Long Hand" P-37

On the basis of the R-33, a long-range missile R-37 was designed to arm the latest interception complex based on the Mig-31BM. Some sources refer to RVB-BD and K-37. According to the NATO classification AA-13 "Arrow". Tests of the latest samples were completed in 2012. When it was created, a new two-mode solid fuel engine and the latest control and guidance equipment were used. During the tests struck the target at a record distance of 307 km.

• Starting mass of various modifications from 510 to 600 kg.
• The length of the rocket is 4.2 m.
• The combat unit is high-explosive fragmentation, weight - 60 kg.
• The range of the air-to-air missile R-73 is 300 km, in the export version - 200 km.

The excellence will be ours

The influx of high-tech products into the arsenal of the Russian army in recent years has significantly outstripped the Western powers. Developed guided air-to-air missiles will be equipped with even more powerful on-board computer systems and high-speed signal processors. The new generation of missiles will be able not only to track the target in conditions of strong radar and infrared counteraction, but also to covertly escort the attacked air facility.